In a move that could potentially introduce new users to the browser, Arc has launched a trio of new "shareable" features. These features allow users to share special views, including Spaces, Folders, and Split Views with anyone, whether they use the Arc browser or not.
What are these shareable features?
The three new shareable features introduced by Arc are:
Spaces
Spaces is a feature that allows you to create separate areas within Arc focused on your personal life or work, or anything else you want to keep in a dedicated area. For instance, you could have a Space dedicated to a particular hobby or interest, or ongoing research related to a purchase you were planning for a work project.
With the new "Share" button, accessed by hovering over the Space’s title, you can opt to share one of your Spaces with friends. This means that users don’t need to install Arc to view your Space’s collection of links – it opens directly in their preferred browser, like Chrome, under a unique URL that begins arc.net/space.
Example Use Case:
The company demonstrated this feature with a Space dedicated to fall trip ideas, which included folders of Halloween costume ideas, apple-picking spots, and Airbnb listings.
Folders
Unlike Spaces, Arc’s folders are a simpler way to keep a bunch of related tabs together. For example, you could organize a folder of links for a project you’re working on, articles you want to read later, a recipe collection, trip planning links, or any other interest.
Similar to Spaces, users can share Folders with others via a unique URL that begins arc.net/folder. This means that others don’t need to install Arc to view your shared folder – it opens directly in their preferred browser under the specified URL.
Example Use Case:
The Arc team demonstrated the concept of a shareable folder with a list of links for dinner ideas in Honolulu. These can also be opened in other browsers via a unique URL that begins arc.net/folder.
Split Views
Split Views is another feature introduced by Arc, allowing users to view multiple tabs and searches at once. This feature is useful for multitasking and quickly switching between different tasks.
How do these shareable features work?
To use the shareable features, users simply need to navigate to the desired Space or Folder within the Arc browser. Once there, they can click on the "Share" button and enter the email address of the person they want to share with.
The shared link will open in the recipient’s preferred browser, allowing them to view the contents of the shared Space or Folder without needing to install Arc themselves.
What does this mean for users?
These new shareable features could potentially offer users a new way to experience Arc, without having to fully commit to making the switch. This is especially useful for those who are interested in trying out the browser but may be hesitant due to its steep learning curve.
Additionally, these features can help increase user engagement and retention by allowing friends and colleagues to easily share content with one another.
What’s next for Arc?
Ahead of this launch, Arc also added AI-powered features that combine OpenAI and Anthropic’s models. This move is in response to the increasing popularity of AI features offered by Big Tech rivals, Google and Microsoft.
Arc browser is now available to download for everyone. With its unique blend of innovative features and user-friendly interface, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Conclusion
The introduction of these shareable features marks an exciting milestone for Arc, potentially introducing new users to the browser and increasing user engagement and retention. As the web browsing landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Arc adapts and innovates in response to changing user needs and preferences.